Hugo P. Dobberstein

On Friday evening, June 15, 2007, his Lord and Savior called Hugo from this life to his long-awaited home in heaven. Following a brief illness, Hugo died at the age of 88. He was born in the town of Hortonia on October 25, 1918, son of the late John and Emma (Handschke) Dobberstein. Hugo was a graduate of the Hortonville High School, and on April 22, 1941, married the former Evelyn Peterson at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Dale. On December 7, 1942, Hugo entered the United States Army, and was present at Utah Beach at the Normandy Invasion. He was injured in that invasion, and needed over a month to recover. He returned to battle, however, and was wounded again in the Battle of the Bulge. Hugo was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, as well as a life member of the 101st Airborne Division Association. His commendations include the European-African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with one Silver Service Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Unit Citation, Glider Badge, Bronze Arrowhead, and World War II Victory Medal. On the sixtieth anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, Hugo hosted a family trip to Europe which retraced the very steps Hugo took during his military career. The family even crossed the English Channel together and landed safely on a beach in France.

In 1948, Hugo returned to civilian life, and went to work at Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Kimberly as a laboratory Technician. He retired from Kimberly Clark, then known as Repap, in 1982. He enjoyed gardening, camping and fishing, traveling, playing cards, and spending time with his loving family and many dear friends.

His church and his Lord were primary in his life, and Hugo was a longtime active and faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Appleton. It was there that he formerly served as the congregational president, chairman of the board of elders, worked on the committee for lay ministry, the stewardship committee, was a member of the Board of Regents for Fox Valley Lutheran High School and well as its building committee, and also served as a greeter at church.

Hugo is survived by his beloved wife: Evelyn Dobberstein of Appleton; four daughters: Faye (David) Leatherman of Oshkosh; Beth Garcia of Neenah; Jan (Raymond) Ross of Newton; and Dawn (Kevin) Bunnow of Appleton; nine grandchildren: Peter (Michelle) Leatherman, Tim (Nicole) Leatherman, Bradley (Dawn) Garcia, II, Jason Garcia and his fiancée Heather Yuen, Matthew Ross, John Ross, Mark Ross, Kyle (Allison) Bunnow, and Dana Bunnow and her fiancée Darrin Dahms; two great-grandchildren: Justin Leatherman and Bradley Garcia, III, a sister-in-law: Dorothy (Charles) Cornelius of Willard, Ohio, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Hugo was preceded in death by his parents, by Evelyn’s parents Owen and Emma Peterson, brothers Armand (Concordia) Dobberstein and Leo (Ruby) Dobberstein, by a sisters Zeda (Orville) Loos, as well as by many fallen military comrades.

The Christian Funeral for Hugo will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 302 N. Morrison Street in Appleton with Rev. Kenneth Frey officiating. Interment with full military honors will take place Tuesday at 2:30 PM at Dale Union Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 Am until the hour of the service.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, Wisconsin 54130
920-739-1231